Target Users

At this stage we felt it was necessary to establish a target user. Target users are chosen to help direct our design focus, and provides reasoning behind our re-designing decisions. Previous research revealed that today most people who choose to file the form themselves will do so via internet. Another alternative for middle to upperclass society, would be to hire a personal accountant and just "hand it off" to them. Most people of this status live complex lifestyles; owning houses, children, college tuitions, businesses, etc. One of the main problems with the 1040 is the person themselves who is filing it. Complicated lifestyles equal confusion and frustration, and in some cases crying. At the other end of the spectrum are the people who lead simple lives, dominated mainly by young single adults. This group of people are computer and internet savvy and will utilize the e-file provided online by the IRS and other various tax related companies. Companies that provide taxing services such as H&R Block appeal to a lower income and elderly clientele. The convenience and price that companies like H&R Block provide is very basic, and getting the most money possible for the costumer is not their best interest. For this reason we felt it was important for Low Income and Elderly persons to be able to fill out the form manually without confusion.


Design Goals:

• Educate
• Provide Guidance
• Clear, Concise Language
• Consistent Format
• Easy to Use and Understand
• Help the user to figure out the information irrelevant to them
• pleasant to fill out and complete

Next Step:

• Now that we have user focus and after we come up with some initial wireframe prototypes, we can use them to come up with a user scenario. Scenarios help communicate the purpose of the design and aid in the comprehension of hypothetical concepts, into real life situations. Those who may not have technical design training can further understand the message and emotional value behind the "why" and "how's" (why this design? and how will this work?) of the design. Lastly, the mediums applied to scenario creation are almost entertaining, which can engage people to listen to what you want to convey; whether it be sequential, video based, short story, picture stills with a voice-over narrative, or even acting.